A Californian man has attempted to break the Guinness World Record for the giving the most hugs in a day.

David Parsons and 50 volunteers aimed to reach a target of 10,000 hugs in 24 hours, although the group failed to reach his target, reports The Huffington Post.

Inspired by his late friend Sharon Perkins, who passed away from cancer, Parsons gave 3,162 hugs, which fell short of the record made by Jonathan Sacks in 2010.

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However, he did manage to raise $2,062 (Â£1.307).

Parsons's chief aim was to raise awareness and money for Grants Wishes, a non-profit organisation that helps children battling cancer.

He said: "My number one goal was always just to raise funds and awareness for Grants Wishes.

"There was a point at which I was hugging people and realised that I had 3,162 opportunities to take that one hug that I didn't realise would be my last with Sharon, and to give that love that she gave me."

Parsons has already began planning his second attempt at setting the world record.